I’ll be honest, after Thursday, looking at this cover just makes me want to jump in a river…

Also from just off Park Rd, NW (a bit further west from the HotD below) and also a perennial favorite.

One of my favorites from Park Road, NW just west of Mt. Pleasant Street.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

It is with great joy that I am able to share the word that DC’s public pools are open weekends starting this Saturday from 12:00pm – 6:00pm. (They open on weekdays starting June 21.) You can see a full list of outdoor pools and addresses here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Do you think this competition/reward is a good (enough) incentive for a “reverse rider”?

“At the end of the contest, the individual with the highest number of points will win a one-year extension of his or her Capital Bikeshare membership, while everyone who makes it into the top ten will receive one-month extensions. Five raffle prize winners will also receive one-month extensions.”

Full press release from DDOT:

Don’t go with the flow this summer—do the opposite and it could pay off. That’s what Capital Bikeshare will be telling its members soon. The regional bikesharing network is launching a Reverse Rider Rewards competition on June 1 to support the system’s rebalancing and redistribution efforts.

The goal is to enlist the help of Capital Bikeshare annual members to help redistribute bicycles throughout the bikesharing system during the peak hours of 8am-10am, Mondays through Fridays, and provide incentives to do so.

“Like any transportation system, Capital Bikeshare has a rush hour when demand spikes,” said Terry Bellamy, Acting Director of the District Department of Transportation. “Rebalancing crews are constantly moving the bikes around to keep up, but any additional help provided by members could help ensure there’s a bike available when you want it.”

Capital Bikeshare membership has increased dramatically in recent months and is currently up to 13,835 annual members and climbing. In response to member suggestions, the Reverse Rider Rewards program was conceived as a way to supplement the efforts of Alta, the company responsible for servicing bike stations and keeping them balanced with enough bicycles and docking spaces. Rebalancing incentive programs have been used in other bikesharing programs with success, including Veìlib in Paris.

Members who elect to participate will earn points for taking bicycles from any of the “typically full” stations to “typically empty” stations. Each trip will earn participants one point, as well as one entry into a raffle. At the end of the contest, the individual with the highest number of points will win a one-year extension of his or her Capital Bikeshare membership, while everyone who makes it into the top ten will receive one-month extensions. Five raffle prize winners will also receive one-month extensions.

Reverse Rider Rewards officially launches on Wednesday, June 1, and will run through Wednesday, August 31. Winners will be posted on the 5th of each month. For complete information about the rules, prizes and eligible stations visit http://www.godcgo.com/reverse-rider-rewards.aspx.

“Dear PoPville,

I attended the opening of Capital City Diner’s back patio/bar area Friday night (1050 Bladensburg Road, NE), and thought I’d pass on a few photos– the place is awesome! It’s honestly worth a trip just to see the unique bar top (made from wood, with broken glass, bottle caps, leaves, and other miscellaneous stuff thrown in– see pic). Also, fyi, the fried mac n’ cheese is life-changing…”

Awesome. Looking forward to checking it out!

Photo by PoPville flickr user trentroche

“Dear PoPville,

If you had $100,000 to put down on a home, hoping to benefit from future development in the neighborhood, say, 5 to 10 years down the road, where would you look today? Anywhere in town.

I’m still learning about my northern Petworth neighborhood. I think it’s a great urban community, personally, but have no clue whether it will appreciate down the road. I’m into enjoying it as is, warts and all. It certainly looks better than I’ve ever seen it during the month of May. Lots and lots of roses.

I appreciate the smarts of the readers you continue to attract and think there is a lot of community wisdom among them that could be of help to my friend. She, like me, is independent-minded and in her 50s.”

“Dear PoP,

Ducklings 6 days old – mom and dad are diligent parents. Please don’t feed them bread – it isn’t nutritious and attracts rats & other animals which may kill the ducklings. I hope someone with a better camera can get us some close-ups!”

Awesome!

Photo by PoPville flickr user maria jpeg

Submit your photos to the PoPville flickr pool here. Follow PoPville on twitter here on facebook here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user [F]oxymoron

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

From DDOT:

DDOT Seeks Help from Residents to Combat Copper Wire Theft

(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is requesting the public’s help to combat the theft of copper wire from the District’s infrastructure. On at least four occasions in recent weeks, thieves have removed electrical wire from underground conduits along city streets.

In one case the thieves stole wire that powers the sidewalk lights along Kenilworth Avenue, NE between Foote and Hayes Streets. Wire that illuminated a DC 295 overhead sign was also removed on northbound Kenilworth Avenue between Polk Street and Eastern Avenue.

In both locations the copper wire was removed from underground conduits placed between manholes in a grass median (not in the street). At these locations the theft did not require a lane or road closure and might not have draw attention.

A third incident occurred at North Capitol and Irving Streets last week, and another at South Capitol Street and Potomac Street. DDOT is currently in the process of restoring power at all four locations.

How Residents Can Help

“This is a community safety problem, and the cooperation of the public is critical,” said DDOT Acting Director Terry Bellamy. “We need drivers, pedestrians and residents to please call police if you see anything suspicious along our roadways.”

In some cases, thieves may pose as contractors by setting up staged work zones to steal the wire. Anyone witnessing a theft in progress should not confront the suspects, but rather should immediately call 911. Vehicle and suspect descriptions are very useful to authorities. DDOT is working with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to deter additional thefts and is also exploring ways to enhance the security of its electrical conduits.

Risk of Injuries and Deaths Resulting from Copper Thefts

Vandalism and copper theft endanger not only the innocent, but also perpetrators and their accomplices. Those who attempt to steal copper-wire put themselves precariously close to live electric transmission facilities powerful enough to electrocute quickly and without warning. MPD is currently investigating a recent attempted theft of copper that resulted in the suspect being seriously injured by electrical burns during the offense.

This home is located at 4608 Massachusetts Ave NW:

View Larger Map

The flier says:

“STUNNING, GRACIOUS CONTEMPORARY REMODELED & EXPANDED IN 2007/2008 BY AWARD WINNING ARCHITECT. OFFERS PEACEFUL URBAN OASIS WITH ENORMOUS ENTERTAINING AREAS, 5 BEDROOMS, SOME WITH PRIVATE TERRACES, 5.5 BATHROOMS, OFFICE, GOURMET KITCHEN. WALK TO SHOPS, MANN SCHOOL, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY. PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT THE DOOR, EASY ACCESS TO DOWNTOWN, GEORGETOWN, BOTH AIRPORTS. VERY SPECIAL HOUSE.”

You can find more info here and photos here.

You dig the architecture? This 5 bed/5.5 bath is yours for $2,450,000.

Photo by PoPville flickr user shipleal

I miss anything good or bad today?

According to a recent liquor license application The Dunes will occupy the 3rd floor of 1400 Meridian Pl, NW and:

The Dunes Fund, LLC is a creative marketing firm, business incubator, and gallery exhibition space that operate much like a think tank for businesses, non-profits and individuals dedicated to promoting the D.C. art community. Each event is an intimate affair, tailored to the specific needs of the client. Events often include, but do not always include the combination of DJ or live music, mixology and food. Food is mostly catered, and my musical accompaniment/entertainment offered is an integral part of the creative product the client is exhibiting.

More info on both The Dunes and an opening date for The Getaway soon.

If you have any fun or interesting animal/pet photos please shoot me an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say what neighborhood you’re from or upload to the PoPville flickr pool with your pets name and neighborhood. I can’t guarantee I’ll get them all posted but I’ll do my best.

“Kitty adopted from the Georgia Avenue Humane Society over 2 years ago.”

“Maxx, Bella & Scout in Bloomingdale.”

Well, PoPvillians…the day is coming to an end. And as the sun sets, you will also feel the fading glow of the reign of the Lord of Petworth.

As much as Thursdays generally suck, tomorrow will suck worse, because you won’t have my charming effervescent hostiness to keep you company.

But look at the bright side: PoP will be back tomorrow! And, of course, as has played out in the comments time and time again: you always have each other.

But let’s take a moment and review what we’ve learned this week:

• 2,000 of you will look at a picture of me wearing a yarmulke, simply because I provided you with a link to do so.
• Never post hypothetical questions about your neighbors, because they may read the blog where you pose it.
• Despite a deep affection for Magnetic Fields, the new DC theme song should be the Eastern Motors jingle
• You can never have too many posts about mosquitos.
• Don’t put bagged dog poop in someone else’s trash can…or put dog poop in your own trash can. In fact, to avoid any controversy, do not put anything in any garbage can, ever.
• Nothing starts a bitchfight like mentioning “bikes” and “cars” in the same post. Wait, you don’t even have to mention cars.

You’ve all been amazingly good sports.

I’ll be back sometime, I assume. Until then, you can find me on my web site (okay, I’ve been taking a break from there while I finish this new book, but I will post there again eventually) and on Twitter @ericnuzum.

Peace out!